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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

What book is this from Rarechat? Never seen it before.

Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Despite wind and rain, some cracking autumn moths at Old Lodge SWT Reserve last night. Autumnal Rustic, a very obliging Lunar Underwing, Deep-brown Dart and Barred Sallow. #teammoth #ukmoths @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

89/23 on a chilly night at Old Lodge, Ashdown Forest. Some nice local specialties unfamiliar to me, as I am new to this superb site on the High Weald. Including: Neglected Rustic, Heath Rustic, Feathered Gothic and Plain Wave. #ukmoths #teammoth @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

A chilly night at Old Lodge, Ashdown Forest, produced some pretty local autumn specialties that were unfamiliar to me, being new to this superb site on the High Weald.

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Trapping session on Old Lodge, Ashdown Forest, E. Sussex, on Sat. Been away since. Over 100 Brassy Y! 163/28 in total. Alder Kitten, Sallow Kitten and Large (Common) Groundling all NFS. #teammoth #ukmoths @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Disappointing 39/21 on Saturday night at Old Lodge SWT Reserve. Overslept, full moon, a bit breezy? Interestingly, research suggests full moons don't affect catch size, but everyone says they do. Oak Eggar and Antler Moth were new, as was Badger poo! #teammoth #ukmoths @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

236/68 at Burton Mill Pond. After a few mistakes I'm obsessed with the 'Greys'. So many of them though, often worn and, let's face it, dull. Still, what else are you to do in 30 degree heat? Highlight was a Splendid Brocade, only 54 records on the SMG site. #teammoth @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Black Hole is a swamp, fantastic in hot weather, sadly not last night. Scarce Footman outnumbered Common 8:1, but Pale Oak Beauty lived up to its English name. Meanwhile, Oak Marble is an English name for 2 different species. This one is Eudemis profundana. #teammoth @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Black Hole is a swamp, fantastic in hot weather. Sadly, not last night. Scarce Footman outnumbered Common 8:1, but Pale Oak Beauty did live up to its English name. Meanwhile, Oak Marble is now an acceptable name for 2 completely different species. This is Eudemis profundana. #teammoth

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

226/52 at Old Lodge SWT Reserve on Sunday night. Leaving me just 4 short of 1000 moths for the year so far! Highlight was a Red-necked Footman, Atolmis rubricollis @sussexwildlife.bsky.social #teammoth #ukwildlife #ukmoths

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

128/57 at Burton Mill Pond on Sunday night. Lots of NFY Triple-spotted Nest Moth, Streaked Water-veneer and Brindled White-spot, all new for site. #teammoth @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Fantastic night at Old Lodge SWT Reserve on Saturday. 340/74 if I include Speckled Yellow, not actually in the trap. Some of my favourites: Heather Knot-horn, Eyed Hawk-moth, Pine Hawk-moth, Clouded Buff Pics taken by my friend, Charles Waters @sussexwildlife.bsky.social #UKmoths #teammoth

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

159/38 at Burton Mill Pond SWT Reserve on Friday. 27 Pale Tussock, about half f. concolor. In parts of Sussex it's 100%. What do other people find? Bird's Nest, Grass Wave, and The Minister(Brassy Twist) all new. Orange-rayed Pearl at maybe 4 Sx sites. #ukmoths #teammoth @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

It's probably because it has dipped its wings in oil or something. I've seen similar on other species.

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Sussex based but holidaying on the Isle of Wight. I'd like some local info. I've seen 3 Weeping Willow that appear to be self-seeded, not planted, around Godshill. Does the local BSBI regard these as naturalised? @bsbibotany.bsky.social

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

A great #panspeciesrecording day with @sim-elliott.bsky.social in the Cuckmere Valley. Contarinia acerplicans, Early Purple Orchid, and Usnea articulata, amongst many others. At least four Kingdoms covered in three organisms! @sussexwildlife.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Cold, wind, and rain, last night at Old Lodge, East Sussex. So not many moths and no photos. This morning at 5.00am though, listening to Woodlark, Willow Warbler, Siskin & co. Pure magic! @sussexwildlife.bsky.social #ashdownforest #ukmoths

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Brighton based naturalists planning a trip somewhere to see Bluebells, just walk up Freshfield Road, where the old Kemptown railway station was.

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

I've entered the BSBI 'Record 100 Plants in 2026 Challenge'. I'm only counting plants I haven't previously recorded and that I identified using a book rather than an app. My local park in Brighton produced 12 species (not including trees). Annual Wall Rocket was new. @bsbibotany.bsky.social

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

No, is the simple answer. Presume you have checked for damage. Be VERY careful if there is any chance at all that the outer glass shell is damaged, it can blind you. All you can do is swap it for another and see if you get lots more moths.

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Far too cold and windy for any flying insects, so had a nosy under some logs at Woods Mill SWT reserve. Obsidentify calls the second one Blackspotted Pliers Support Beetle, I love that! #sussexwt #panspecies

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

@amyjanebeer.bsky.social Just wanted to say how much I loved your piece in British Wildlife. Wonderfully evocative and uplifting writing, thank you.

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

A few interesting 'moth trap intruders'. The water boatman Sigara striata and the weevil Curculio nucum. #teammoth #sussexwildlife

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Had to empty the trap in torrential rain yesterday, hence the poor photos. A lot of new stuff for me. Pics are: Bordered Beauty, Brassy Y, White-shouldered Ochre, Oak Hook-tip. #teammoth

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

My numbers refer to the first picture btw.

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

I hate pugs too! My extremely amateur take is that you are right about 1,3 and 4. Never seen No. 2, so don't feel qualified to comment.

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

I think the answer is yes, but footmen are a bit of a headache for me too, and I get loads of them. BTW, I haven't worked out how to see other replies on Bluesky, so everyone else might have said the same thing. Colin

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

Scottish Pearl? Never seen one, being about as far south of you as it's possible to get without getting wet. Colin

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

Hi Jess, It's difficult from a small photo, but I would say it's a Rufous Tortrix. Colin

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Reposted by Colin Piper

Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Burton Mill Pond, in W. Sussex, includes a 'swamp' called Black Hole. On warm humid nights this can be spectacular. Sunday night produced 209 of 65. Specialities included: Bulrush Down Moth, Limnaecia phragmitella Bulrush Veneer, Calamotropha paludella Pale Water-veneer, Donacaula forficella

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Nice, and useful, pair of pics Phil, annoyingly however, as I can confirm from this morning's traps, neither of them always look exactly like your photos!

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Rain, midges, cows and flighty moths all made for an extreme mothing session at Burton Mill Pond, W. Sussex. Some cracking moths though: Barred Red, Mocha, Marsh Grass-moth, Sandy Carpet #teammoth #sussexwildlife #ukmoths #ukwildlife

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Spent the summer solstice at West Beach SSSI, lots of sand dune and shingle beach specialists inc. Small Plume, Oxyptilus parvidactyla (poss. only 2nd W. Sussex record), and Canary Tortrix (Lemon Bell), Thiodia citrana, poss. only colony in the county. #teammoth #sussexwildlifetrust #ukmoths

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Quantity rather than quality at Burton Mill Pond, W. Sussex, 83 of 36. Highlight, the 7th modern-day Sussex record for Moss (Gold-barred) Marble, Celypha aurofasciana. Also had a Field Cricket!

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

My first ever Ochreous Pug. TBH, I've never liked pugs, but I'm getting loads this year of several species. Scots Pine (the food plant) isn't native to Sussex, but there are plenty of planted trees around.

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

70 moths of 25 species on Friday night, outnumbered about 2 to 1 by Cockchafer. Moths are emerging early but not flying around much is what I think is happening, due to hot days but cold nights. Orange Footman and Vestal are early for example. Prettiest moth was a Cream-spot Tiger.

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

I live in VC14 (East Sussex), just. I do most of my recording though in VC13 (West Sussex). To find them on your map, head south from London until you get wet.

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

I remember the first exoplanet discovery, incredible that we have got so far in such a short time.

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Reposted by Colin Piper

MaTT FLaMMaBLe @mattflammable.com · 17/04/2025

This is K2-18b. It’s a planet outside of our solar system, about 2 1/2 times the size of earth, orbiting a small red dwarf star. The James Webb space telescope spent time studying this planet via spectroscopy and determined it has gases in its atmosphere that are only created through biology!

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

Hi Steve, you've got me thinking. I held that one back to photo because I thought it looked the freshest, but maybe that's because it was different. Are those "fine black streaks or wedges projecting inwards from the outer crossline" (Waring & Townsend) diagnostic of Brindled?

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

Rain spoiled the first cloudy night for weeks at Burton Mill Pond SWT Reserve. Loads of pugs, 22 Brindled and 2 Oak-tree. Plus, if confirmed, a very early Heather Hook-wing, Ancylis uncella. Not often seen in Sussex. Plus, my 2nd Minotaur Beetle of 2025. #teammoth #sussexwildlifetrust #ukmoths

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

He died in 2006, I doubt he ever saw a frothy cappuccino😀

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

I trap near a lake and have a similar problem. It's interesting the effect water has, even the trees are later to budburst.

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

A hard frost in W. Sussex last night with Frosted Green literally frozen to the groundsheet. Highlights were an early Lunar Marbled Brown and my first ever Common Oak Purple (Common Spring Jewel), Dyseriocrania subpurpurella. The photo doesn't do it justice, really shiny in real life.

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

86 moths of 17 species last night in West Sussex U.K., though it was a lot colder than forecast. My favourite was this Red Chestnut.

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

First moth trap of the year, at Burton Mill Pond SWT reserve. 61 of 16, including what I believe is a Dark-streaked Tortrix, Acleris umbrana, plus a fantastic Minotaur Beetle #teammoth @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Beautiful! In the New Forest? I haven't seen one for years, used to be an annual guarantee, like Willow Tit and Tree Sparrow. Hoopoe is my number 1 bogey, don't even try for them anymore.

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

The highlight of an extremely muddy walk around Henfield Levels yesterday was the discovery of Stinking Hellibore, a rare plant in Sussex, at a previously unknown site. Various lichens, fungi (inc. Southern Bracket) and a Black Swan, made up the supporting cast.

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Colin Piper @colinpiper55.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

@pamhutch.bsky.social I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your piece in S&S re David Lynch. There's clever writing, and then there's clever writing that really tugs at the heart strings and makes you laugh and cry. I loved it. Thanks x

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